Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners at the Dec. 12 meeting put an exclamation point on the final chapter of 2016 with remembrances and new beginnings. The board stood in silence with bowed heads in tribute to several retired township employees who died this year and then welcomed aboard three new police officers and noted the promotion of a fourth.

The administration, led by Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. and the board of commissioners, paid tribute to the township’s longtime fire chief, Robert Benner, who died March 30. Benner had been fire chief for 30 years and served the township for 50 years. The driveway at the township campus bears his name, as does the township fire training complex and a fountain at Whitehall Township Authority’s complex.

Elsie Martucci, 92, died Sept. 29. A bookkeeper for decades, she was 81 when she retired from her position with the township.

Alfred Nederostek, 88, a township public works department employee, died Nov. 9.

Robert Kocher, also a township public works employee with two decades of service, was cited for his contributions to the township and public works. Held in high regard by the township and employees, Kocher died Dec. 8 at the age of 88.

Kocher, outside his employment with the public works department, served on the Egypt Memorial Park Board for many years and was an honorary member. He also was the park’s caretaker for many years.

Jerome Bednar was a dispatcher with the public works department for 43 years and died Dec. 9. His calm voice on calls by the public to the public works department soothed many residents. Commissioners and Hozza said Bednar was a person of integrity and an outstanding employee.

“We remember them this night for their years of dedicated service to the people of Whitehall,” Hozza said.

Christopher Longo, Mark C. Nicosia and Nicholas J. Squires were administered their oaths of office as new police department patrol officers. Hozza pinned the badges on the three officers. Police Chief Michael Marks said the three new officers graduated Dec. 1 at the top of their class with Allentown Police Academy.

The new officers will ride with a seasoned officer for several weeks of training before they begin their own assignments. Marks said the three men have demonstrated the ability and character that will make the township proud of their service.

Patrolman Mark Nederostek, in a special ceremony, was promoted to corporal, handling supervisory duties with the patrol division. Hozza and Marks cited Nederostek’s exemplary service to the residents and the township.